Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signs. A sign is something that stands for something other than itself.

The two main theorists behind semiotics were: Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) and Charles Sander Pierce (1839-1914).

Sausure's dyadic semiotic system deducts that signs are solely psychological and that they only make sense within a formal abstract system. He also concluded that a sign is made up of a signifier The form of which the sign takes) that signifies the signified (the concept represented).

Pierce's tryadic semiotic system states that a sign is one of three things; an index, an icon or a symbol. An index does not have an arbitrary signifier, but is connected to the signified (ie the smell of smoke represents fire, yet does not necessarily indicate a fire). Icons have a signifier that resembles the signified (ie a drawing of a tree depicts a tree, but it not actually a tree). A symbol is when the signifier is conventional (ie letters and numbers).

I will have to consider semiotics thoroughly when making my magazine, as I have to ensure it targets the correct audience and gives the image and impression that I desire. The colours of fonts, images, backgrounds, the images i use and the contents of the images all have to considered through the eyes of the consumer. If the wrong sort or combination is used, then my magazine will not reach the required result. I will most probably be making a Metal/Heavy Metal magazine, ergo i would include things like a dark colour scheme etc.